Cybill Lynne Shepherd, a renowned American actress, was born in Memphis, Tennessee, to Patty, a devoted homemaker, and William Shepherd, a successful small business owner. Born with a flair for the spotlight, Shepherd's career began to take shape at a young age, when she won the coveted "Miss Teenage Memphis" contest in 1966 and later, the prestigious "Model of the Year" contest in 1968. This marked the beginning of her journey as a fashion icon, gracing the covers of every major magazine and becoming the iconic face of L'Oreal.
As her acting career began to unfold, Shepherd made her screen debut in Peter Bogdanovich's critically acclaimed film, The Last Picture Show (1971),earning her a nomination for Most Promising Newcomer. She continued to build her filmography with influential roles in The Heartbreak Kid (1972) and Taxi Driver (1976),showcasing her remarkable acting prowess.
After taking a brief hiatus to start a family, Shepherd returned to Hollywood in 1983, making her television series debut in an episode of Fantasy Island (1977). Her subsequent starring role alongside Bruce Willis in the highly acclaimed show, Moonlighting (1985),earned her two Golden Globe Awards. Shepherd's third Golden Globe Award was for her starring role and producing credits in the hit series, Cybill (1995).
Beyond her illustrious career in the film industry, Shepherd has been a vocal advocate for various social and political issues, including gay rights and abortion rights. In 2009, she was honored by the Human Rights Campaign in Atlanta, receiving one of two National Ally for Equality awards for her unwavering support and commitment to equality and human rights.